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1863. The educational system in the archipelago is reformed, allowing the natives higher levels of training. Wealthier native families start sending their children to study in Spain.

1863, Jun 3. At 19:00, a terrific earthquake shakes Manila and ruins most buildings in the city, including the cathedral. Of major structures, only theSan Agustin church remains standing.

1869, Nov 17. The Suez Canal is opened, establishing a regular steamship service between the Philippines and Europe. This allows not only the influx of more goods into the colony but also of new ideas.

1872, Feb 17. Three martyr priests are publicly garroted as alleged leaders of the Cavite Conspiracy, a movement for secularization and nationalism, which is distasteful to the Spanish friars. They are Jose Burgos (born Feb 9, 1837), Mariano Gomez (born Aug 2, 1799) andJacinto Zamora (born Aug 14, 1835). The incident gives the Filipinos an impetus to unite and to develop national consciousness. It also gives birth to a reform movement among Filipinos in Spain, known as the Propaganda Movement.

1880. Manila is connected through telegraphic cable to the Western world by Eastern Telecom.

1880, Jul 18 & 20. Two shocks of an earthquake create destruction from Manila to Santa Cruz, Luguna. Tremors continue until Aug 6.

1882, Mar 3. A talented offspring of the native elite, Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda (Jun 19, 1861 - Dec 30, 1896) leaves Manila for Barcelona to continue his studies in medicine.

1882, Jun 2. In Madrid, Rizal begins writing Noli me tangere, a political novel set in the Philippines.

1884. Exaction of tribute from all male natives is ended and the required forced labor of 40 days a year is reduced to 15 days.

1884, Jun 21. Rizal finishes his medical studies in Spain.

1887, May 29. Noli me tangere is published in Madrid and Barcelona.

1887, Oct. Rizal begins writing the novel El Filibusterismo, a continuation of Noli me tangere.

1888, Dec 13. Filipinos in Barcelona...